Overview & Reviews

If you're thinking about purchasing a vehicle rugged enough to finesse rocky trails, chances are, one make comes to mind: Jeep. This specialty automotive manufacturer has a long history of producing trucks and SUVs capable of off-highway adventures — so much so that the term jeep is used by many to refer to all SUVs, whether the vehicle in question is a true Jeep or not.

Jeep took root in WWII as the name of the now-iconic four-wheel-drive military vehicle produced by Willys-Overland and Ford for the U.S. Army. The name's origin is somewhat of a mystery; popular belief is that it morphed from "GP," or "general purpose," though others have suggested that it was a nickname derived from a character featured in the Popeye comic strip of the time.

The mid-1940s saw the introduction of the first civilian Jeep, the CJ-2A. It offered many features not available on military versions, such as a tailgate, an external fuel cap and a side-mounted spare tire, and was targeted mainly toward farmers and construction workers.

Civilian Jeeps caught on with the public, and by the 1950s, new models such as the CJ-3B and the CJ-5 had been introduced. The CJ-5 had the longest production run of any Jeep vehicle, continuing for 30 years after its introduction in the early '50s. The company changed owners during this decade as Willys-Overland was sold to Kaiser in 1953.

Jeep broke new ground in the 1960s with the debut of its Wagoneer. Geared toward active families, this early SUV was the first four-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission. A new "Dauntless" V6 became available as an option on the CJ-5 and CJ-6 in 1965. This was the first time that a Jeep CJ could be equipped with a V6. Packing 155 horses, the engine's horsepower almost doubled that offered by the standard four-cylinder.

By the 1970s, Jeep had changed ownership yet again, with the purchase of Kaiser-Jeep by American Motors Corporation. New models like the CJ-7 and the Scrambler were rolled out. Additionally, the company unveiled some new technology with the introduction of the world's first automatic full-time four-wheel-drive system. Dubbed Quadra-Trac, it was available in the CJ-7 as well as in full-size Jeep trucks and wagons. During this decade, Jeep's fortunes soared as four-wheel-drive vehicles became increasingly popular with large sections of American buyers.

The 1980s saw the introduction of the Cherokee and Wrangler. The Cherokee was one of the first of the new breed of SUVs — high-riding midsize wagons that skyrocketed in popularity as the decade progressed. The Wrangler replaced the CJ series in 1987 and offered the raw functionality of the CJ along with more comfort features. That year also saw the purchase of American Motors by Chrysler, with the Jeep brand becoming part of Chrysler's Jeep/Eagle division. One of Jeep's most popular models, the Grand Cherokee, debuted for 1993. This handsome, midsize SUV offered considerably more comfort and luxury than the smaller Cherokee while still providing stout off-road capability.

Jeep fell under the umbrella of DaimlerChrysler after Chrysler and Daimler-Benz merged in 1998. This partnership resulted in a few new models, such as the Liberty and Compass, though none were able to attain great sales success. In 2007, Daimler sold the Chrysler Group to a private equity firm. It is now under control of Fiat.

More recently, the company has added a couple of enticing models to its lineup (including a four-door version of the Wrangler and the pavement-scorching Grand Cherokee SRT8) and made substantial performance and quality improvements under the hoods and within the cabins. As such, we expect Jeep will not only maintain a loyal group of customers but will also bring new fans into the fold.

User Reviews:

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  great vehicle - 1996 Jeep Cherokee
  By apartin - February 28 - 2:00 am

  My Jeep is a 96 Cherokee Country. I bought it in 97 when it had only 8,000 miles on it. Basically, Ive driven the heck out of it. Its got over 112,000 miles on it now, but is still going strong! No major mechanical repairs. It has been a very dependable vehicle.

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  Awsome Sahara - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By jeepnmandan - February 28 - 2:00 am

  WOW! This is the best snow plowing, rock crawing, mud machine! NEVER been stuck with all the snow and ice. I am one of the first to show up at the office during snow storms. The Wrangler is NOT a huge SUV so it fits in my little garage, that my big old truck would not, so its warm seats and no ice or snow to scrap off in the morning. Just open the garage door and plow thru! Keep-Jeep-n

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  Great Beach Maching - 2003 Jeep Wrangler
  By Tim Pleasent - February 28 - 2:00 am

  Dude - Girls in swimwear - in my jeep with the top down - 4wd at the NC outerbanks sand - under the moonlight - this is Heaven! No other SUV can give you this experience. I have to pull out other 4wd truck and small SUVs from the sand with my mighty jeep. I am the super dude on the beach with my jeep with tow hooks! I plan to live at the NC beach all summer!

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  14 Years, 160,000 Miles and Still Love It - 2000 Jeep Wrangler
  By mbb624 - February 27 - 11:26 am

  This site is full of people complaining about their ride, so I thought Id put the good word in on my trusty Jeep. Its the ultimate "do everything" ride. Well-behaved except with high winds, great in the snow or marginal conditions, getting to hiking trails on crap roads. I take care of my vehicles and this Jeep has paid be back with outstanding reliability. Its not the most comfortable, nor very quiet but thats not why you buy a Wrangler!

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  Just joined "Its a Jeep Thing" club! - 2007 Jeep Commander
  By The Radnad - February 23 - 1:13 pm

  Just bought this for my wife/family vehicle. Its our first SUV and first Jeep and so far we love it! Totally comfortable inside, plenty of room for 15 year old, 4 year old, and 1 year old with room to spare for napping on long trips. Cargo area is very ample for the twice a month grocery run and hardware store supplies. Never thought I would own a Jeep but so far we are having fun with it.

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  Try it for yourself - 2012 Jeep Compass
  By snowman54 - February 23 - 2:00 am

  If i had made my decision soley on edmunds review i would not own a compass. totally satisfied plenty of power if you want more buy a 8 cylinder.i got 26 mpg on the highway cruising at 70 mph drove 400 miles my first trip comfort was excellent.my wife loves it

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  Great all-around small family SUV - 2005 Jeep Liberty
  By kal13 - February 22 - 4:51 am

  Great little family SUV if you need real off-road performance. Bought it used with 50,000 miles and now three years later with 107,000 miles have had to do nothing but routine maintenance. Just drove it across country (3,600 miles in one week) with no issues going 80+ mph. I change the oil & filter every 6,000mi along with tire rotation and alignment; all other fluids every 30,000 miles and it still drives and runs like new. Has plenty of power and even more torque, no problem passing when needed. Have used it off-road almost everyweekend for three years and always gets me there and back. Handles 12+ inches of snow or mud with ease and has no issues in two feet of water.

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  great suv - 2006 Jeep Commander
  By carobsessed1 - February 20 - 2:16 am

  I fell in love right after the test drive. The V8 has just the right amount of power. It is comfortable and the turning ratio is better than the vehicle I traded in. It handles great. The use of the navigation and all the other buttons are very uncomplicated. The dvd is great the way it is set up. Easy input for the children to do. The location to insert the disc is at the back of the middle console and my son loves it. The seats are comfortable and easy to take a ride in. If the third row is up it is hard to see out the back window. I love the box look; it is awesome. I got the white with chrome accent and saddle leather. It is hot looking. This is my first Jeep and so far no complaints. Fun to drive.

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  The last real 4x4 - 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Christian - February 18 - 3:55 pm

  The all wheel drive 4.7 v8 gets about 14-15 city mpg I think that is perfect if you live in a climate where all wheel drive is needed. The car has perfect power, steering ability and off road performance. I had a 1997 grand cherokee and I can say jeep has come a long way perfecting it. All the way around it is a very good car!!! Its now at 175,600 miles and all I have had to replace is 2 raiditor hoses, brakes, bulbs, and fluids!!!! It is a very strong suv!!! Ive had it for 3 years now and will never get rid of it

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  Its a JEEP! (-: - 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee
  By Brandi - February 17 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle. Bought used a year ago with 103,000 miles on it. Now has 130,000 on it and no problems other than preventive maintenance(things that need to be replaced at 100,000+ miles). Had 86 Cherokee with 230,000 when I got rid of it and FIL has 91 Cherokee with 250,000+ on it so I know I have many miles left. Regretted getting rid of mine til I got this one. Glad to be back in a Jeep! People who say otherwise should think about how it was cared for before making a judgement on quality. If well-cared for, will last for many miles.